Artist Spotlight: Kenneth Thompkins

A weekly showcase featuring local musicians

Name: Kenneth Thompkins

Sound: Classical, chamber music

History: Thompkins has been a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 1997, and was appointed Principal Trombone by Neeme Järvi. Thompkins also performed with ensembles across the country including the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Florida Orchestra and New World Symphony Orchestra. In 2017 he recorded "Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals," which went on to win the American Prize in Instrumental Performance. An alumnus of Northwestern University and Temple University, Thompkins has performed classical music all over the United States and Europe.

The latest: Last month Thompkins released "Compelling Portraits," a collection of pieces Thompkins says is "a celebration of the genius of contemporary Black composers." To help bring the diversity of this country to recital stages and concert halls, the musician regularly commissions composers to write new works for trombone and personally commissioned three of the pieces recorded on "Compelling Portraits."

Thompkins can be seen regularly performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall in Detroit. Visit dso.org for a full schedule, and visit kenneththompkins.com for more information on Thompkins' work.

Melody Baetens